Putman's other songwriting credits include "My Elusive Dreams," a duet recorded by Tammy Wynette and Davis Houston, "D-I-V-O-R-C-E", a song Tammy Wynette took to the top of the charts in 1968, and "Dumb Blonde" which appeared on Dolly Parton's debut album.

But, it was a tune co-written by Putman and Bobby Braddock a decade later that would become the biggest song of the writer's career. "He Stopped Loving Her Today" was recorded by George Jones in 1980 and is regarded by many as the greatest country song of all time.

Shortly before his death, Putman spoke with Variety about his unique take on songwriting.

"I put all my heart [into singing a song] and it’s almost embarrassing, and people kind of look at you like, ‘that’s pitiful,’ because it’s so sad, and everything I write is pretty sad," Putman said. "I believe that touches people of all kinds. ‘Green Green Grass of Home’ and ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ were people-type songs, not just something that’s gonna be out there one day and gone the next.”